Hall and Oates: Live at the Troubadour

I have been to hardly any concerts. It's kind of pathetic, really.
Chicago.
Elton John.
Bon Jovi.
And, last but not least, Def Leppard.

At least they've all been really great concerts. And the thing is, it's not that I don't enjoy going because I do, I just don't think about it much.

There is a smallish part of me that, as a kid (please keep this in mind), thought the "concert version" of songs was cruddy compared to the radio release. Because the concert version always sounded different, and maybe even a little bit not perfect, ya know?

Once I really appreciated true musicianship, I changed my mind.
The horn section of Chicago.
Elton's piano.
You get the idea.

I've always been a Hall & Oates fan. Big time. A greatest hits compilation was one of my first CD purchases once I had a CD player. My ringtone for when hubby calls me is "Make My Dreams". I love them and know all the songs by heart.

But a concert DVD? Not so sure. Does the entertainment value translate from being there in person to seeing a recording? My analysis is that you do lose some of that energy of the live performance...there is a relationship that happens between the audience member and the performer, it's there.

Truth be told, I loved Live at the Troubadour. A lot. Because I love the band and the songs and if there was a way to feel like I was at the concert without actually being there, this is as close as one can get. (Also, being madly in love with Daryl Hall doesn't hurt...I have a thing for blondes, even if he is older than my parents).

Please, for a moment, put aside that little mental category in which you placed Hall & Oates as an "80s pop band" (not that there is anything wrong with 80s pop bands, you know I LOVE them). Seriously, I already knew it but for the rest of you who didn't realize, you need only watch the concert performance to know that the musicianship of this duo (and the entire band, naturally) is INCREDIBLE. They are amazing. For me, the only thing missing was GE Smith, because that dude belongs with Hall & Oates (if only because when I picture all the music videos from my youth, he's in them). And he can kick some ass on the guitar, especially Family Man...tricky little guitar ditty during the Chorus on that one.

If you like concert DVDs, pick this one up. Hall and Oates - best-selling duo EVER. Didn't know that, did ya? EVER. And the 4th biggest act of the 80s after Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince.

As for us, instead of a bunch of presents for each other we got a big ass new plasma for a room downstairs we're redoing. Can't wait to see Hall & Oates on that sucker.